"Nothing unites Nigerians more than football and nothing will gladden the hearts of Nigerians than for you to acquit yourselves honourably by winning in Russian Federation".

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The 22-year-old forward scored twice in the Super Eagles' qualification campaign for the tournament and looked set to figure in the plans of head coach Salisu Yusuf. It will be tough because we're in a tough group and so our first game (versus Croatia) is very important.

Nigeria has sent five players home to reduce their provisional World Cup squad to 25 players who will travel to Europe.

Amaju Pinnick, Tuesday said the Super Eagles have been highly motivated to deliver ahead of the Russian Federation 2018 FIFA World Cup. You must bear in mind that you are not just going for a tournament.

World Cup-bound Super Eagles were today held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in a friendly played at a packed Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Mikel said, "Like the NFF president said, this is the first time we will be going to a tournament like this without any issues on money, bonuses or anything like that".

The winger, who was asked to stay back in London on the order of the national team coach, Gernot Rohr, arrived camp in the early hours of Thursday.

Pinnick made the remarks on the sidelines of a seminar on wealth creation, investments and portfolio management for players and officials of the Super Eagles in Abuja.

From there, the side will fly to Austria for an eight-day training camp before heading to Russian Federation.